Radiator cap



Jan. 15, 1935. B H BOWLUS ET AL 1,987,663

RADIATOR CAP Filed April 23, 1951 IG/J/ Ai gvvuzntou jazz 2 2157% jam 11s Patented Jan. 15, 1935 PATENT OFFICE I RADIATORY GABW Benjamin. H; Bowm's; and willia solmeil, De.- troit; Mich., assignors to. Ternstedt Manufacturing Detroit. Mich-.,. a; corporation of; M n Applicationa April- 2a, lssigserial. No. 532,240

7 12'Claims; (Cl%1220-4 0) I This invention relates toclosure devices such A further object of? the invention is tolprovide as arecommonly provided toclose the'fillingmeans-for positivelygsecuring the locking'bar or openings of liquid containers'suclias automobile equivalent-part to the, closure member after the radiators; gasoline tanks;- etch; and'i'rel'atesmoreformerhasibeen adjusted to the proper position 5- particularly toclosure devices-ofthe typewherein. to insure correct alinement of the ornamentalv 5.

a locking bar or equivalent part carried by the figureor projection, in: order that whenever the closure member is adapted to engage cam surclosure member-isrsubsequently removedto perf'aces-formed on" the container filler-neck to-hold mitfilling of the container and is replaced,. the the closure member imposition thereon. ornamental: figure or projectionwill be certain to Quite frequently such. closure devices-carry on be returned to exactlythe same position it form- 10 their-exterior surfaces-figures orpro'jections which erly'occupied.

areprovided for ornamental or other purposes. Another-"object of thein'ventionistoutilizethe Whenever such figuresorproj'ections are'prlesent means which. areprovided to connect thelockin ona closuredevice', it is essential'when the closure" bar or 'equiv'alent part tothe closure member, to

' device'isturned to closed position, thatthebrnahold. a' resilient sealing member or members in l5.

m'ent'al figure or' projection assume the proper pla nth und r d f th cl sur m er; position with respect to the adjacent parts in whichv sealing member is. adapted to engage the order that a symmetrical appearance may be. upper edge of: the fillerneck when the closure: presented. In practice, when an ornamental figmember isiassembled. in closed position thereon to.

the or projection is used in connection with a preventwleakage of the contents of the, liquid 20' closuredevice of the type wherein a locking bar container. I 5

on the closure member engages cam. surfaces Other objects and advantages of the: invention. formed on the filler neck; shoulder or dwell porwill beapparent upon; referring .tothe specifications are provided on the camsurfaces, and: it. isti'onand accompanying. drawing; in which:

intended that the closure member, when being Fig. his a vertical sectional. view through a 25 installed inposition to close the opening in the closure device; showing one, manner of. adjustably filler neck, shall be turned until thelocking bar connecting a locking; bar to. a closure; member... engages the shoulder or dwell portions, where- Fig. 2 15a View. with parts broken away, showupon the ornamental figure or projection is supingi the undersideof'thev closure.- deviceillustrated.

posed to assume the correct alined position with in Fig. 1. i Y 30 respect to the adjacent parts.- It has-been found, 'Fig 3 is t w o p ng to Fig- 1, b however, that due to unavoidable manufacturing showing a. difierent manner of adjustably convariations, it sometimes happens that certain of necting the locking bar to; the closure member. the parts of the container or closure device can- Fig; 4- is a. sectional View taken on line 4.4

not always be assembled in exactly the same relaof Fig. 3.

tion to other parts, and the result is that when Fig. 5. is a detailed perspective View of one the closure device is turned to closing. position of" the parts shown in Figs. 3. and 4. r with the locking bar engaging the shoulder or Fig. 6. is a view corresponding to. Fig. 1, butdwell portions provided on the cam surfaces of showing another manneruof attaching a lock- 40 the filler neck, the ornamental figure or projecing bar: to. a closure member. 40 tion will sometimes lie in a position where it is Fig. 7 is a View showing the underside of the not properly alined with respect to other parts closure device illustrated in Fig. 6. of the vehicle. Figs. Stand 9 are detailed perspective views of It is an object of this invention to correct this parts shown in Figs. 6 and 7.,

condition by so attaching the-locking bar or Fig. 10 is a view similar to. Fig. 1, but show- 45 equivalent part to the closure member, that the ing a still different manner of attaching the former may be adjusted to vary to any desired locking bar to. the closure member. extent its position relative to the closure member, 'Fig, 11' is a. view showing the underside of 80 t a h the latter is turned 0108661 DOSithe closure device illustrated in Fig. 10.

tion with the locking bar engaging the shoulder I Inthe drawing the invention is shown as em- 50 or dwell portions on the cam surfaces of the filler bodied in a radiator cap consisting of a closure neck, the ornamental figure or projection on its member 2 having an ornamental Figure 4 ex-. exterior surface will assume a position where it tendingfrom its upper surface. A projection 6 will be correctly alined with respect to the adextends downwardly from the underside of the jacent parts. closure member 2, which projection is of circular shape, but which is provided at its lowermost end with a portion 8 having parallel sides 10, which portion is formed by casting or by cutting away some of the material of the projection 6 at opposite sides thereof which results in the formation of shoulders 11 at opposite sides of the projection. formed of fiber or other suitable material and having a circular opening provided therein fits' over the projection 6 and against the underside of the cap, and a concave-convex shaped dia phragm 14 formed of spring metal or other suit-j able material and also having a'circular opening formed therein to fit over the projection 6,

A locking bar 20 having a circular opening formed therein at its centerportion fits over the circular portion of the projection 6, and bears against the spacing collar 18. An adjusting member 26 having formed therein a centrally lo-- cated elongated opening 28 of rectangular shape, theopposite sides 30 of which are parallel with each other and are spaced slightly further apart than the distance'between the parallel sides 10 of the portion 8, fits over the latter and is free to slide back and forth a limited. amount crosswise of the cap. Y A bolt 32 having-threaded engagement with the projection 6 serves to holdthe parts in assembled position, and a lock washer 34 located between the head of the bolt and the adjusting member 26 serves to preventyloosening of the bolt after the latter has been drawn to tightened position. A pin or projection 36,

secured'to the" locking bar 20 in any suitable manner, passes through a slotted opening 38 formed inthe adjusting member 26. "Indicating marks 40 are formed on that'end of thelocking bar '20 which ismost remote'from the pin 36, and a pointerportion 42 is formed on the adjacent portion of the adjusting member 26.

- It will be readily seen that when the bolt 32 is in loosened position the adjusting member 26 may be moved crosswise of the ca on the pro-' jection 8 a limited amount, that is, until the ends of the elongated opening 28 abut against the ends of the portion '8, and that due tothe pin and slot connection'between the adjusting member 26 and the locking bar 20,,such sliding movement of the adjusting member will result in rotary or swinging movementof the locking bar on the circular portion of the projection 6, and that as a" result of suchmovement, the position of the locking bar with respect to the cap 2 may be changed to any desired extent within're'asonable limits; i I

The closure device described above is adapted to be attachedto any of the well known types or shapes of filler necks such as that indicated by the numeral 44,'wherein portions of the filler neck are bent orotherwise formed to provide cam surfaces 46. When the cap is being placedover the filler neck, the outer ends of the looking bar 20 pass through slots 48 formed in the inwardly and downwardly bent portions of the filler'neck,;afterwhich rotation of the cap causes A small circular gasket 12,

the outer ends of the locking bar to engage the cam surfaces 46 which are so shaped as to draw the cap downwardly thereby causing the gasket member 16 to be tightly compressed against the upper edge of the filler by the spring action of the diaphragm 14. This results not only in bringing about a sealed connection between the cap andthe filler neck whereby escape of liquid or vapor is prevented, but the spring action of the diaphragm also serves to hold the cap tightly in closed position.

i It'is common practice when using closure devices having a lockingbar adapted to engage fille'rfneck cam surfaces such as 46, to provide dwell or shoulder. portions on the cam surfaces which'portions the ends of the locking bar are adapted to engage when the cap is turned to closed position, inorder to bring the ornamental figureor other projection on the exterior of the cap into proper alined position with the adjacent -parts, such asthe vehicle hood or radiator shell. It hasbeen found, however, that due to variations which are bound to occur during the manufacturing processes, it is impossible to always assemble the various parts in exactly the samerelation-to each other. For example, the filler neck may be located in one position with respect to one radiator tank while another filler neck due to some slight variation either in manufacture or assembly may be located in slightly difierentrelationto its particular radiator tank. The result is that when the radiator caps are turned to closed position with the ends of the locking bar fitting into the dwell portions or against the shoulder portions on thecam surfaces, the ornamental figures or projections on the tops of; the caps will not in all cases set in straight forward position; Y

a By providing a structure such as that illustrated in Fig. l if it is found after turning the cap to closed position on the filler neck with the ends of the locking bar 20 fitting into the dwell portions or against the shoulder portions on the cam surfaces 46, that the ornamental Figure 4 or other projection on the cap does not assume exactly the desired-position with respect to the radiator shell or other adjacent parts, the bolt 32 may be loosened and the adjusting member 26 moved sidewise on the projection 8, thereby causing the locking bar 20 to be swung to a differentposition with respect to the cap 2,- after which the bolt 32 may be tightened again to positively hold the parts in'adjusted position, since when the-bolt is tightened the adjusting member is clamped tightly between the shoulders 11 and the lock washer 34 and is thereby prevented from moving by this clamping action and since the locking bar 20 is positively connected tothe adjusting member by the pin 36, the locking bar is also prevented from moving relative to the cap until the bolt 32 is again loosened. It may be found necessary to try the cap on the filler neck several times, and to adjust the position of the locking bar relative to the cap to several different positions before the correct relation of the parts will be obtained, but after this has been once determined, and the parts are locked in the correctly adjusted position by tightening the bolt 32, no further change will ever be necessaryand the ornamental figure or other projection on the exterior of the cap will always'be bound to assume theproper alined position with respect to adjacent parts whenever the cap is turned to closed position While the locking bar 20 is being moved relative to the cap 2 to, determine what is-the correct relation of the parts, the position of the pointer portion 42 withrespect to the indicating marks 40 may be observed to indicatehow much change has been made in the position of the locking bar 20 relative to the cap 2. With the form of adjusting mechanism described above, it will be readily seen that the position of the locking bar 20 relative to tl1e,cap2 may be varied to any desired extent from a fraction of a degree to several degrees. Since no interengaging projections or grooves are depended upon to hold the parts in adjusted position, the locking'bar. may be set to an infinite number of positions with respect to the cap, and the exact desired position of the ornamental figure or projection may be obtained.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 3 to 5 the closure member is provided with a projection 52 which extends downwardly from its under surface. The outer surface of the projection 52 tapers slightly and the projection is of greatest diameter at the point where it is joined to the cap. 'Serrations or pointed projections 54 are formed on the outside surface of the projection 52 as is shown in Fig. 4. An adjusting member 56, shown in Fig. 5, having a tapered opening 58 formed therein which tapered opening corresponds generally to the shape of the tapered projection 52, fits over the latter. A groove 60 is formed across the under surface of the adjusting member 56 and a locking bar 62 fits into this groove and is held therein by means of a bolt 64 which' passes through central openings formed in the locking bar and the adjusting member 56, and is threaded into engagement with the cap 50. a A spring metal concavo-convex shaped diaphragm 66 having formed therein a central opening adapted to fit over 'theprojection 52 bears at its central portion against the under surface of the cap'50, and a gasket member 68, formed of fiber or other suitable material of concavoconvex shape and provided with a central opening adapted to fit over the projection 52, fits against thev underside of the diaphragm 66. Both the diaphragm .66 and the gasket member 68 are held in position by the adjusting member 56, the upper edge ofwhich bears against the central portion of the gasket member 68.-

Should it be found necessary to change the position of the locking bar 62 relative to the cap 50 in order to properly aline an ornamental figure or-projection which might be carried by the cap 50, the bolt 64 would first be loosened: It would then be possible to rotate the. adjusting member 56 on the projection 52 and since the locking bar 62 is secured in the groove 60 in the-adjusting member 56, the locking bar will move with the adjusting member. After the correct relation of the locking bar with respect to the cap has been determined, the bolt 64 may be tightened thereby causing the adjusting member 56 to be drawn into wedging engagement with the tapered projection 52,.and the serrations or pointed projections 54 will be caused to cut into the surface of the tapered opening 58 in the adjusting member 56, thereby insuring that there will be no relative rotation between the adjusting member 56 and the projection 52 until the bolt 64 is again loosened. In Figs. 6 to 9 another form of the invention is illustrated. The cap member 70 is provided with a projection 72 which extends downwardly from its under surface, The outside surface of the projection 72 is circular inshape and. is of formed in the center of the projection. A looking bar 76, shown in Fig. 8, is provided with up wardly extending pointed portions 78 whichconvergetoward each other attheir upper ends, andthese pointed portions conform generally in shape to the shape of the tapered opening 74in which they-are adapted; to-fit. A tapered wedging, or

expanding member 80, shown in Fig. 9, and havingserrations orpointed projections 82 formed thereon, fits inside the pointed portions 78, and is adaptedto be drawn into engagement with the latter by means ofv a bolt 84 which is threaded into the cap 70. A spring metaldiaphragm 86 of concavo-convex shape and having a central opening formed therein adapted to fit over theprojection 72, and is held in place against'the under surface of the diaphragm 86 by meansof.

a spacing collar 92 which surrounds :the'projection72 and is in' turn held in place by means of the locking bar 76.

=With this construction, should it be found necessary to change the position of the locking bar relative to the cap tobring an ornamental figure or projection carried by the'cap into proper alined position, the bolt 84"'is loosened and the tapered portions 78 formed on the locking bar may then be rotated inside the tapered opening 74 to permit the locking bar tobe'set'in thede sired relation to the cap. When this relation has been established, the bolt 84 is tightened, thereby forcing the wedging member into engagement,

with the tapered-finger portions 78, which results in the latter beingexpanded intofirm contact with the wall of the tapered opening 74 thereby.

preventing relative rotation of the locking bar 78 with respect to the cap until the bolt 84 is again loosened. Due to the engagement of the serra-' tions or pointedprojections 82 on themember 80 with the tapered finger portions 78during thetightening action ofthe bolt 84, rotation of'the wedging member 80 is prevented, thereby permitting the proper action of. the lock washer 94.

which serves to prevent loosening of the bolt 84. In Figs. 10 and 11 a stilldifierent form of the invention is illustrated. In this construction, the

cap has formed on its under surface a circ u-- lar recess 102, in which is receivedan adjusting member 104, at the outer edges of which are provided pointed projections 106 which are adapted to fit into correspondingly shaped notches 108- formed in the outer edge 103. of the recess 102... A

locking bar 110 is held against the under surface of the adjusting member 104 by means of a screw 112 which is threaded into engagement with the v cap. Projections 114 bent upfrom theadjusting member fit into openings 116 formed in the-lock.-

ing bar to prevent relative rotation betweenthe locking bar and the adjusting member. A resilient gasket 118 of any suitable material adapted to engage the top of the filler neck is held in the cap.

In this form of the inventiomwhen it is .desired to move the locking bar 104 relative to the-cap 100, the screw 112 isloosened enough so that the adjusting member 104 may be withdrawnfrom the recess102 after which the pointed projections 106 may be placed inother of the notches. 108, and when the desired relation of the locking;

uniformdiameten-and a tapered opening 74 is barandthecap has been obtained, the screw 112 maybe tightened; whereupon therecan be no relative movement of the locking bar with respect to the cap because of the engagement of the projections 114 inthe openings 11-6 of the locking From the above it will be readily'seen that our invention contemplates many simple and inexpensive forms of closure devices, whereinthe posit'iOnofthe'lockingbar with respect -to the cap may be easilyand quickly changed, and wherein after the desired relation has been determined, the parts may be locked positively in that relation without the possibility of there being any' subsequent change in the relation of the parts unless desired. 3

It is thought from the foregoing taken in'connection with the accompanying drawing, that the construction and operation of the device will be apparent to those skilledin the art, andthat various changes'in size, shape and proportion and details of cons'tructionmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim: i

l. A closure device comprisingfa cap member, a locking bar rotatably supported on said oap member, an adjusting memberslidably mounted on said cap member, and means connecting said locking bar with said adjusting member whereby sliding movement of the adjusting member causes rotative movement of the locking barrelative to said cap member.

:2. A closure device comprising a-cap member, a locking bar rotatably "supported on said cap member, an adjusting member slidably mounted on said cap member, means connecting said looking bar with said adjusting member whereby sliding-movement of the adjusting member causes rotative movement of the" locking bar relative to said cap member, and means adapted to secure the locking bar in-adjusted position.

-3. A closure device comprising a cap member having a projection depending from its underside, said projection being provided with a circular portion and "'a portion having parallel sides, a locking bar rotatably mounted on said circular portion; an adjusting member slidably mounted on said parallel'sided portion, and means conne'cting said locking barwith said adjusting member whereby sliding movement of the adjusting member causes rotative movement of said looking bar relative to said cap member.

4. A closuredevice comprising a cap member 3 having aprojection depending from its underside,

said projection being provided with a circular portion and a portion having parallel sides, a locking bar-rotatablymounted on said circular portion, an adjusting member slidably mounted on said parallel sided portion, means connecting said locking bar with said adjusting member in such manner that sliding movementof the adjusting member causes rotative movement ofthe locking bar relative to the cap member, and

' means adapted to secure the looking bar in adjusted position.

' 5; A closure device comprising a cap member having a projection depending from its underside, said projection being'provided with a circular portion and a portion having parallel sides, a locking bar rotatably mounted on said circular portion, an adjusting member slidably mounted on said'parallel sided portion, and a pin and slot connection between said locking bar and said adjusting member whereby sliding movement of the adjusting member causes rotative movement of the locking bar relative to the cap member.

6. A' closure device comprising a cap member having a projection depending from its underside,

said projection being provided with a circular portion and a portion having parallel sides, a locking bar rotatably mounted on said circular portion, an adjusting member slidably mountedon said parallel sided portion, means connecting said locking bar with said adjusting member in such manner that sliding movement of the adjusting member causes rotative movement of the locking bar relative to the cap member said looking bar being provided with indicating marks and said adjustingmember carrying a pointer which cooperates with said marks to indicate the position of the locking bar relative to the cap member.

7. A closure device'comprising a cap member having a projection depending from its underside with an opening formed in said projection, a looking bar having acentral portion adapted to be rotatably received in said opening, and wedging means adapted to force said central portion of the locking bar into engagement with the wall of said opening whereby the locking bar will be firmly held in adjusted position relative to said cap member.

'8. A closure device comprising a cap member having a projection depending from its underside, said projection having a tapered opening formed therein, a locking bar having a tapered portion adapted to be rotatably received in said tapered opening, a tapered member adapted to fit inside the tapered portion of said locking bar, and

means adapted to force said tapered member into the tapered portion of the locking bar whereby said tapered portion is expanded into engagement with the Wall of said tapered opening thereby causing the locking bar to be firmly held in adjusted position relative to said member.

9. A closure device comprising a cap member having a projection depending from its underside, said projection being provided with a circular portion and a non-circular portion, a locking element rotatably mounted on said circular portion, an adjusting member slidably mounted on said noncircular portion, and means connecting said locking bar with said adjusting member whereby sliding movement of the adjusting member causes rotative movement of said locking bar relative to said cap member.

10. In a closure for containers having a filler spout provided with locking members, a cap having a projection depending from its under surface, a resilient sealing disc having an opening 4 formed therein through which said projection extends, said disc being adapted to resiliently engage said filler spout in sealing relationship when the cap is secured to the filler spout, a sleeve extending around said projection and adapted to engage said disc, a locking element having portions adapted to engage said locking members to secure said cap to said filler spout, said locking element being rotatably supported on said projection and being adapted to engage said sleeve for the purpose of holding said disc in position upon said projection, and means adapted to hold said locking element in position upon said projection and in engagement with said sleeve, said means also being adapted to positively hold said locking element in adjusted position relative to said cap.

11. A closure device comprising a cap member having a projection depending therefrom, said projection having a circular surface formed thereon, a resilient sealing disc having an opening formed therein through which said projection extends, a locking member having a circular surface formed thereon, the circular surface on said locking member being adapted to bear against the circular surface on said projection, and means associated with said projection adapted to lock said locking member in any desired position relative to said cap member, said means also serving to hold said resilient sealing disc in position upon said projection.

12. A closure device comprising a cap memher having a projection depending therefrom, said projection having a circular surface formed thereon, a locking member having a circular surface adapted to engage the circular surface on the projection whereby the locking member will be rotatably supported on the projection, and means secured to said projection adapted to lock said locking member in any desired position relative to said cap member.

BENJAMIN H. BoWLUs. WILLIAM SCHNELL. 

